Bridge-reinforcement



A. G. NEEDS.-

amocs REINFORCEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT-ID1918- Patented June 29, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET Jnrveflfov A. G.. NEEDS.

BRIDGE REINFORCEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11. 1918.

1,344,646. Patented June 29, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

site surfaces of the UNITED STATES JTPFTATENT OFFICE- AUGUSTUS G. NEEDS, OF PERKIOMENVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

BRIDGE-REINFORCEMENT.

Application filed September 17, 1918. Serial No. 254,407.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTUS G. NEEDs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Perkiomenville, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bridge Reinforcements, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide means for reinforcing and. strengthening bridges and particularly for strengthening and reinforcing old bridges.

Another object is to so construct my improved reinforcing and strengthening means that it can be quickly and easily assembled and attached to a bridge.

A still further object is to so make my in-,

vention that it will be of simple construction and can be cheaply made and assembled.

These objects, and other advantageous ends which will be described hereinafter, I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an elevation of a bridge having my invention attached thereto,

Fig. 2 is a plan View partly in section, showing the elements of my invention,

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary elevations on a slightly enlarged scale, showingcertain of the jointed portions of my invention, and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the jointed portion shown in Fig. 4.

Referring to the drawings, 6 represents a 7 bridge which is supported on concrete piers 7, and 8 represents a span of said bridge.

Considering that the span 8 of the bridge is in need of reinforcement, I secure my improved reinforcing means thereto as illustrated in the drawings, said reinforcing means consisting of a supporting frame 9 which is positioned between the concrete piers 7. I

The supporting frame 9 includes four substantially horizontal and parallel I- beams 10. These I-beams are arranged in groups of two each, as illustrated in Fig. 2, and at their ends are joined by angle plates 11 to two transversely extending I-beams 12.

The supporting frame 9 also includes I-beams 13 and 14 which extend at an in cline in opposite directions from the oppo- I-beams 12. These beams 13 and 14 are connected by angle Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 29, 1920.

plates 15 and 16, respectively, to the I-beams 12, and are respectively included in the same vertical planes with the I-beams 10 so that one of the groups of the I-beams 10 is in alinement with respective groups of the I-beams 13 and 14.

The lower ends of the I-beams 13 and 14 are connected by angle plates 17 and 18 rev spectively to blocks 19 which are pivoted within seats 20 cut out of the piers 7.

A supporting frame for a bridge span made in the manner above described forms an efficient strengthening support which is adapted to uphold the span adjacent its middle, as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

The beams 10 form a direct support for the central portion of the span, and the beams 13 and 14 take up the thrust resulting from downward pressure or weight of the bridge upon the beams 10; this thrust being resistel by the piers 7.

The'beams 13 and 14, adjacent the blocks 19, have tie rods 22 extending therethrough.

The beams 13 are connected by cross rods 23 and beams 14 are connected by cross rods 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. 7

By having the beams 13 and 14 connected with the piers between the base of the piers and the span 8, they are of sufficient height to be clear of ice when the bridge is serving to span a river such, for example, as shown at 21 in Fig. 1.

While I have described my invention as taking a particular form, it will be understood that the various parts of my invention may be changed without departing from the spirit thereof, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise construction set forth,

but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come 7 within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An. independent reinforcement for a bridge consisting of a supporting frame ineluding substantially horizontal and inclined longitudinally extending beams;

transversely extending beams interposed between the adjacent ends of' said horizontal and inclined beams; and angular plates respectively connecting said horizontal and inclined beams to the transverse beams, substantially as, described.

2. An independent reinforcement for a bridge consisting of a supporting frame ineluding substantially horizontal and inclined longitudinally extending beams; transversely extending I-beams interposed between the adjacent ends of said horizontal and inclined beams; angular plates respectively connecting the inner surfaces of said horizontal and inclined beams to the opposite faces of said transverse I-beams, said 7 horizontal and inclined beams being arranged in groups spaced apart; and tie rods securing each of the groups together; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification inthe presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

AUGUSTUS G. NEEDS.

W'itnesses CHAS. E. Por'rs, MARY A. INGLAR. 

